Retractable Electronics Protection

ABSTRACT

Cases are disclosed herein for mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, tables, e-readers, etc., that have an integrated retention system. The integrated retention system includes a retention device and a retraction device. The retention device allows the electronic device to be secured to a user&#39;s clothes or other object by an attachment device at the end of a cord. The retraction device allows the cord to be extended from the case to a desired length and retracted into the case when not in use. The cases disclosed herein, when used to secure an electronic device to an object, can prevent loss of and damage to the electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Mobile electronics, such as mobile phones, smart tablets, and the like, are increasingly popular and pervasive throughout society. They also represent a significant financial investment; therefore there is a need to protect and to prevent the loss of these items.

SUMMARY

Generally, this invention relates to cases for mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, e-readers, etc., that have an integrated retention system. The integrated retention system includes a retention device and a refraction device. The retention device allows the electronic device to be secured to a user's clothes or other object by an attachment device at the end of a cord. The retraction device allows the cord to be extended from the case to a desired length and retracted into the case when not in use. The cases disclosed herein, when used to secure an electronic device to an object, can prevent loss of and damage to the electronic device.

In one aspect, the invention features a device comprising a case body configured to receive and releasably retain an electronic device, an extendable retention device configured to allow a user to tether the case body to an object, and a retraction device configured to retract the retention device into the case body.

Some implementations may include one or more of the following features. The retention device can include a cord and can further include an attachment device. Furthermore, the attachment device can include a carabiner secured to a distal end of the cord.

The refraction device can include a ratchet and pawl mechanism. Furthermore, the ratchet and pawl mechanism may include teeth disposed on a spool that carries the cord. The refraction device may further include a coil spring that is also carried by the spool.

In some implementations, the coil spring and cord may be disposed in a concentric arrangement on the spool.

In some implementations, a release button may be configured to allow the user to disengage the ratchet and pawl mechanism.

In some implementations, the case body may include a cavity configured to receive the attachment device when the retention device is retracted.

In another aspect, the invention may feature a device comprising a case body configured to receive and releasably retain an electronic device, a cord that is extendable from and retractable into the case body, and a retraction device configured to allow extension and retraction of the cord. According to this aspect, the retraction device comprises (a) a rotatably mounted spool having a plurality of ratchet teeth and being configured to carry the cord, and (b) a pawl mechanism that interacts with the teeth to control rotation of the spool and a coil spring, carried by the spool, that is configured to bias the spool towards a position in which the cord is retracted, and the coil spring and cord are disposed in a concentric arrangement on the spool.

In some implementations of this aspect of the invention, the device may include an attachment device, e.g., a carabiner, secured to a distal end of the cord.

In another implementation, the device may comprise one or more ear buds disposed at a distal end of the cord. Furthermore, the cord may comprise an earphone cable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to one implementation.

FIG. 2 is plan view of the device with a carabiner in an extended position.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the device with the carabiner in a refracted position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front side of the device.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device with the holder removed to reveal the retraction mechanism and the cord removed to clarity.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the device with the upper portion of the ratchet mechanism cut away and the rear panel removed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the device as shown in FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 5A, taken closer to the rear panel.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the device similar to the view shown in FIG. 5 except shown with earphones.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the device with the earphones in the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 3, a case 10 for a cell phone or other electronic device includes, on one side, a holder 12 (FIG. 3) for receiving and securely holding the electronic device. In the embodiment shown, holder 12 is dimensioned to receive a cell phone. However, holder 12 may be of any desired configuration. The holder 12 is defined by a floor 22 and side walls 23.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2A, on the other side the device 10 includes an integrated retention device that includes a cord 14 and a carabiner 16. The retention device can be extended from the case, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and retracted into the case, as shown in FIG. 2A, by a refraction device. The retraction device will be discussed in further detail below.

When the retention device is fully retracted, the carabiner 16 is received into a cavity 18 that is generally complementary in shape to the carabiner. When received in this manner, the distal edge of the carabiner 16 is flush with an edge 19 (FIG. 2A) of the case 10. The cavity 18, as well as a chamber 20 that holds the retraction device, are defined between the floor 22 of the holder 12 and a rear panel 24 of the case. The rear panel 24 defines a window 26 that allows the user to easily grasp the carabiner to extract it from the case.

Referring to FIG. 1, the rear panel 24 includes a raised area 28 that defines the outer portion of cavity 18 and that provides sufficient room in the cavity to accommodate the thickness of the carabiner. The cavity 18 is sized to hold the carabiner snugly while allowing the carabiner to be easily extracted.

At the other end of the rear panel 24, an opening 30 is configured to allow the use of a rear-facing camera of type that is commonly integrated into a mobile phone. Opening 30 is aligned with a corresponding opening 32 in the floor 22 of the holder 12.

The rear panel 24 also includes an opening 34 through which a button 36 extends. Button 36 is used to actuate the retraction of the retention device, as will be discussed further below. Opening 34 is sized to allow the movement of the button 36 from a first, normal position (shown) to a second, release position, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 5A and 6, the retraction device includes a spool 40 that carries the cord 14 (not shown in these figures) in an outer compartment 42 (FIG. 6) and a coil spring 44 (FIG. 5A) in an inner compartment 46 (FIG. 6). The inner and outer compartments are arranged concentrically. The spool rotates on a shaft 48, which extends upwardly from and is integral with the rear panel 24. Spool 40 includes ratchet teeth 50 that interact with a pawl 52 to control extension and retraction of the cord. The cord is attached to the spool at an attachment point 53 (FIG. 7).

When the carabiner is pulled out of the case by the user, the pawl 52 slides over the ratchet teeth 50, allowing the spool to rotate in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 5A.) As the spool rotates, cord is fed out of the case, allowing the user to extend the carabiner to reach an object, or, once the carabiner is secured to an object, to extend the case closer to the user for use of the electronic device. Rotation of the spool during extension of the cord tensions the coil spring 44, which is attached at one end to a notch 45 in the shaft 48 (which thus acts as a spring bearing) and at the other to a raised feature 54 on the spool (FIG. 7).

When the user stops pulling on the cord, the pawl, which is biased toward the spool by spring 56, engages a ratchet tooth 50 to prevent reverse rotation of the spool so that the cord remains in an extended position.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, when the user desires to retract the cord, the user moves the button 36 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, which then releases the pawl from the ratchet tooth. Once the engagement of the pawl and tooth is released, the force stored in coil spring 44 causes the spool to rotate in the reverse direction, retracting the cord. Because the pawl is biased toward to the spool by spring 56, it is necessary for the user to hold the button in the release position until the cord has retracted to a desired extent. Once the user lets go of the button, the spring 56 will cause the button to return to its normal position, and the pawl to re-engage the spool. This locks the carabiner in place and prevents inadvertent extension of the cord, e.g., if the carabiner were to get caught on something.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 6, eyelets 58 and 60 define a path for the cord as it is being retracted and extended, as indicated by line C (FIG. 5A). Eyelet 58 is positioned approximately mid way between the sidewall of the rear panel and the center of the rear panel. The positioning of eyelet 58 with respect to centrally located eyelet 60 creates a bend in the cord increasing friction between the cord and the eyelet thereby slowing the retraction of the cord.

The holder and rear panel may be made of any desired material, but is generally formed of a thermoplastic, e.g., polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene, etc., or a thermoplastic/elastomer blend. The springs and eyelets are preferably formed of metal, e.g., 316 Stainless Steel. The sprocket wheel may be made of any desired material, e.g., a plastic such as nylon. The cord is preferably of a durable, relatively high tensile strength material to prevent it from breaking, e.g., KEVLAR® aramid fiber from DuPont.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

For example, while the device shown in the figures is configured to hold a mobile phone, the device may alternatively be configured to hold any desired personal electronic device such as an MP3 player, a laptop, an e-reader, a tablet, a GPS, a personal locator device, an avalanche transceiver, etc. For example, if the device is one that does not include a camera, the openings for the camera described above could be omitted.

Moreover, while a carabiner is shown, other types of releasable clips or fastening devices could be used.

Additionally, the retraction devices used herein may be used to allow extension or retraction of other accessories. For example, an alternate embodiment may be configured with earphones rather than a clip. This embodiment would feature a similar retraction mechanism, however it would be configured to handle earphone cords. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when retracted, earphones 65 fit snuggly into the case. A portion of the earphones 65 extend beyond the edge of the case so that a user can successfully grasp and extract the earphones. Boss 67 extends from the rear panel 24 of the case to help secure the earphones when retracted into the case. Earphone cord 69 may follow the same route as cord 14 in FIG. 5A, as shown in FIG. 8A, or may be routed differently if necessary in order to accommodate the thickness of the cord and/or raised features provided on the cord. For example, the eyelets may be made larger, and/or eyelet 58 may be omitted.

The end of the earphone cord that is distal to the earphones is routed to allow it to be plugged in to the earphone jack on the device. The configuration of this route is specific to the type and model of electronic device and therefore is not shown in the drawings. In some implementations the earphones include a microphone, e.g., disposed on the earphone cord, to allow the phone to be used in a “hands-free” manner.

Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a case body configured to receive and releasably retain an electronic device; an extendable retention device configured to allow a user to tether the case body to an object; and a retraction device configured to retract the retention device into the case body.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the retention device includes a cord.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the retention device further includes an attachment device.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the attachment device includes a carabiner secured to a distal end of the cord.
 5. The device of claim 2 wherein the retraction device includes a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the ratchet and pawl mechanism includes teeth disposed on a spool that carries the cord.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the retraction device further includes a coil spring that is also carried by the spool.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the coil spring and cord are disposed in a concentric arrangement on the spool.
 9. The device of claim 5 further comprising a release button configured to allow the user to disengage the ratchet and pawl mechanism.
 10. The device of claim 3 wherein the case body includes a cavity configured to receive the attachment device when the retention device is retracted.
 11. A device comprising: a case body configured to receive and releasably retain an electronic device; a cord that is extendable from and retractable into the case body; and a retraction device configured to allow extension and retraction of the cord, the retraction device comprising: a rotatably mounted spool having a plurality of ratchet teeth and being configured to carry the cord; a pawl mechanism that interacts with the teeth to control rotation of the spool; and a coil spring, carried by the spool, that is configured to bias the spool towards a position in which the cord is retracted, wherein the coil spring and cord are disposed in a concentric arrangement on the spool.
 12. The device of claim 11 further comprising an attachment device secured to a distal end of the cord.
 13. The device of claim 11 further comprising one or more ear buds disposed at a distal end of the cord.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein the cord comprises an earphone cable.
 15. The device of claim 12 wherein the case body includes a cavity configured to receive the attachment device when the retention device is retracted.
 16. The device of claim 12 wherein the attachment device comprises a carabiner. 